Enter the Matrix received a mixed response from gamers due to including everyone from the movie except Neo (the main character) in the game. This coupled with some dodgy driving sections as well as some rather awkward combat made the game something for diehard Matrix fans only. Well, Shiny Entertainment have decided to go back to the roots of the film and also listened to fans because now The Matrix Path of Neo allows gamers the chance to become “The One” and fill the shoes of hacker Neo in this all new Matrix game which spans across all 3 films.

Gameplay

Playing the game puts you directly in control of Keanu Reeves character Neo from the very start of the first Matrix movie albeit with some artistic licence thrown in for good measure; so in this case you are presented with either the red pill or the blue pill to govern your progress. Naturally the blue pill is a quick, painless and easy option to ending the game before it’s even begun. However, the red pill as anyone who has seen the first Matrix movie will tell you leads our hero on a wacky ride into the unknown and ultimately spills the secrets of the matrix.

The game play consists of 3rd person action where the main aim is on navigating the levels whilst being shot at, chased or simply trying to escape into the next phase of the game. It does take a while for things to really start to get interesting because at the beginning of the game you are treated to an ultra long training mission set in an ancient Chinese setting. This whole section sees Neo embark on his journey of learning Kung- Fu and armed combat. Once the pleasantries are over then players can get stuck into the meat of the game.

Players are then thrust into the Neo character and basically follow his path through films one to three. What is really cool is the fact that you are able to participate in pretty much all of the fighting scenes in the film. So that means battling it out with Agent Smith on numerous occasions and the famous lobby scene where Trinity and Neo attempt to rescue Morpheus; you even get to shoot the mini gun in the helicopter! Every scene you can imagine has been woven into this game’s plot and will no doubt please fans of the movies no end. What is more, players are able to replay any mission that they have completed over and over until their hearts are content. You might ask why? Well, the fighting is absolutely awesome; when it works. You are given a lot of scope with the combat because you can use weapons or hand to hand or both. What is more is the fact that the focus moves return making some awe inspiring moments which look amazing. This means that all those punch/kick moves are available as well as cart wheels and diving off walls that you will have seen in the movies.

Well it’s not all happy times here because although you can often be floating around the screen in bullet time like a ballerina; there is an unsavoury element to the combat. For starters it’s far too easy for players to get involved in a button mashing frenzy despite having a number of moves available. Then there comes a point where you might start feeling out of control of the on screen action as moves happen on their own so to speak or are different than before. Ok, it looks spot on but somewhat makes the player feel removed at times. The game’s lock on feature when using weapons also feels rather unpolished and cumbersome. That said, the fight sequences are done very well and really make you feel like Neo in the matrix!

Graphics

The graphics are a mixed bag because on one hand you have some excellent damage physics where walls will crumble when hit and such like but on the other hand you have some really ugly character models and poor frame rate issues. The frame rate issues do appear often (when there are many characters on screen at once) and dampen the experience somewhat. The environments are suitably murky most of the time but capture the flavour from the films quite well. The animation is excellent and made more gripping when the focus moves are unleashed. At least we don’t have the stupid Olympic sprinter animation that appeared in the previous game.

Sound

The sound is pretty good for the most part and I assume features the actors from the movies. However one thing that really annoyed me was the fact that the original soundtrack wasn’t used during fight sequences. Sure the music sounded suitably like Matrix music but wasn’t the same. You know; those pumping beats when Neo fights Morpheus for the first time “Stop trying to hit me and hit me!” It’s a shame but still good enough to suit the on screen action. Other sound effects are as you would expect such as slow motion gun fire and the thwack of fist on face!

Longevity

Not the longest of games by any means but still offers plenty of replay value. As I said earlier, you can replay the missions that you have completed already and simply have fun fighting you way through those SWAT team guys one more time because it’s satisfying to do so. There are levels of difficulty to mess around with as well as the choice to take different options from time to time; although the one at the beginning to take the blue pill doesn’t count! The game features plenty of extras to unlock as well such as movies and other Matrix related media. There’s even a making of video thrown in for good measure.

Overall

The Matrix Path of Neo is a solid game when it wants to be but in my opinion a little rough around the edges. Whilst overall the game is an improvement over Enter the Matrix in some areas it some how feels like the production values aren’t the same. I think Matrix fans will lap up this game because its very nature appeals and puts them into the driving seat so to speak. For action fans then I think that this game has something to offer but is still not as good as games like Max Payne for example. I enjoyed playing the game because I’m a bit of a fan of the films and enjoyed playing as Neo. Anyone who isn’t so sure should rent the game out first and try before a purchase.